-
10 Questions with ... Paul Wilson
February 21, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Paul WilsonTITLE:PDMARKET:Honolulu, HIBORN:Twin Falls, ID, longer ago than I want to admitRAISED:Twin Falls, ID
1) What was your first job in radio? Early influences?
I did weekends at KEEP/Twin Falls, ID when I was a sophomore in high school. The FM band was empty so I would DX the AM. During the day I heard KFXD/Boise and KRSP/Salt Lake City, at night and I got KFRC, KOMA/Oklahoma City, CFUN/Vancouver, XEROK/El Paso and occasionally WLS.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I was a business major in college and figured I'd play radio until I got a "real job". My mom was flying through Salt Lake one night and I met her at the airport for coffee on her layover. We started comparing salaries and I realized that I was making as much money playing Rock 'N Roll from 10PM to 2AM as she was with a masters' degree teaching school. It was at that point when I knew I'd made my career choice…besides, I didn't like wearing suits anyway.
3) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I'd probably be an accountant or financial planner.
4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
Everybody says their market is "unique" but I'd argue that Salt Lake and Honolulu are two of the most unique, and I've mastered them both. The cultural melting pot that is Hawaii makes this a truly unique place to work…and Salt Lake is the only market I know of where you need to screen for religion in a perceptual study (true).
5) How have music file sharing services affected the way you program to your audience?
They've made CD sales figures less significant. With fewer people "buying" product in traditional environments, it's harder to identify what the hits are from retail.
6) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
Local radio will always be the source for immediate information, especially in times of crisis. It's not the music that endears you to your listeners. It's what goes between the songs that really counts.
7) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
Everyone is more careful about what we say and do. "Guarded" is probably the right word to describe things.
8) What is the biggest change that you'd like to see happen in the business?
Local control of stations programming. Fortunately, Clear Channel understands this and allows most decisions to be made at the local level.
9) As an air-talent how has industry consolidation helped or hurt you? What effect has industry consolidation had on the way you program your station?
We're forced to have a more global view and think more about the benefits to the entire cluster, not each station individually. Sometimes this means making decisions that hurt one individual station but have greater a payoff for multiple stations.
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
Ask a lot of questions, knock on every door, and don't take "no" for an answer.
Bonus Questions
What do you like best about your job? Least?
This is the best job I've ever had…wonderful co-workers, support and resources. The ONLY downside is that I'm in a very isolated market that's away from my family and where I grew up.
What "reality show" could you see yourself appearing on and why?
Jerry Springer. Our family's a party all by themselves.
Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?
Michael W. Perry and Larry Price (KSSK's morning show). These guys have been #1 for over 23 years, work hard every day and remain humble about their success.
What do you enjoy most about music scheduling?
Finishing it!
-
-